Week of 4/12/26:Justified by Faith
SUMMARY
Formation Theme: Be the Church - Filled with PowerWeekly Theme: Be the Church - Justified by Faith
Sermon Text: Acts 8 : 1 – 3
Primary Reading: Acts 5 – 8
Secondary Reading: Romans 3 – 4
Memory Verses (Through May 2nd): Romans 8:2–6 (ESV)
[2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
[4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
[5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
[6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
1 | Theme Reflection - "JUSTIFIED By Faith"
Faith is not the price we pay - it’s the hand that receives.
In Romans 3–4, Paul declares that righteousness cannot be earned or inherited. Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” The same truth flows into the early Church, where the Spirit’s power rests not on the deserving but on the dependent.
In Acts 5–8, we witness both failure and faith - Ananias’ deceit, Stephen’s death, Saul’s persecution and Philip’s obedience. Through it all, the gospel advances not because of human strength but divine grace.
When the Church forgets that it stands only by mercy, it loses its power. But when it remembers justification by faith, it becomes unstoppable: free to repent quickly, forgive freely and walk humbly.
Faith is not the price we pay - it’s the hand that receives.
In Romans 3–4, Paul declares that righteousness cannot be earned or inherited. Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” The same truth flows into the early Church, where the Spirit’s power rests not on the deserving but on the dependent.
In Acts 5–8, we witness both failure and faith - Ananias’ deceit, Stephen’s death, Saul’s persecution and Philip’s obedience. Through it all, the gospel advances not because of human strength but divine grace.
When the Church forgets that it stands only by mercy, it loses its power. But when it remembers justification by faith, it becomes unstoppable: free to repent quickly, forgive freely and walk humbly.
To Be the Church - Justified by Faith is to rest in the finished work of Christ while rising to live by the Spirit.
Faith does not make us worthy - it makes us His.
Faith does not make us worthy - it makes us His.
2 | Daily Reading Rhythm
3 | Practice of the Week - The Empty Hands Prayer
Each morning, begin with open hands.
Say aloud:
“Lord, I bring nothing but need.”
“You give everything through grace.”
“Help me walk by faith, not by sight.”
When you catch yourself striving for approval or fearing disapproval, pause.
Unclench your hands again.
Remember: the same grace that saved you sustains you.
Each morning, begin with open hands.
Say aloud:
“Lord, I bring nothing but need.”
“You give everything through grace.”
“Help me walk by faith, not by sight.”
When you catch yourself striving for approval or fearing disapproval, pause.
Unclench your hands again.
Remember: the same grace that saved you sustains you.
4 | Doctrinal Focus - The Doctrine of Justification
Justification is God’s gracious act of declaring sinners righteous through faith in Christ.
It is not achieved by effort but received by trust.
At the cross, our sin was counted to Christ; His righteousness is now counted to us.
This trade - sometimes called “the great exchange” - secures peace with God and freedom from condemnation.
The justified life is not guiltless because it is flawless, but because it is forgiven and covered in Christ.
We do not live to earn love - we live because we have been loved.
5 | Missional Focus - Faith the Frees Others
When we live as justified people, we become a refuge for the weary.
The world expects perfection; the gospel offers pardon.
This week, look for someone burdened by guilt or shame.
Offer to pray with them or share your story of grace.
Let your gentleness and honesty embody this truth:
In Christ, there is more mercy than we imagined, and more hope than we deserve.
When we live as justified people, we become a refuge for the weary.
The world expects perfection; the gospel offers pardon.
This week, look for someone burdened by guilt or shame.
Offer to pray with them or share your story of grace.
Let your gentleness and honesty embody this truth:
In Christ, there is more mercy than we imagined, and more hope than we deserve.
6 | Community Group Discussion Questions
From the Readings
From the Readings
- How do Romans 3–4 reshape your understanding of what it means to be “right” with God?
- What can the contrast between Ananias and Stephen teach us about faith and hypocrisy?
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 8 : 1 – 3)
- How does persecution reveal what we truly believe about grace and control?
- What do you learn from how the Church continued to grow even under pressure?
From Personal Reflection
- Where are you still trying to earn what Jesus has already given?
- What would it mean for you to live today as someone already approved and loved by God?
From Community Life
- How can our group practice gospel-centered encouragement -reminding one another that our worth is rooted in grace, not performance?
- What would change in our relationships if we all believed, deeply, that we are justified by faith?
Questions for Children
- What does it mean to trust someone?
- How does God make us right with Him?
- Can we earn His love by being good?
- Why is Jesus’ love the best gift we can never buy?
7 | Closing Prayer
Righteous Father,
You see our hearts and still call us Your own.
Jesus, our righteousness, we rest in Your finished work.
Spirit, remind us when we strive that we have already been made right.
Free us from fear and fill us with peace.
Let our faith bear fruit in humility, joy and courage this week.
Amen.